Pune City Police have arrested Adarsh Mhatre, a 34-year-old from Alibag in Raigad district, for allegedly defrauding dozens of women across Maharashtra. Investigators accuse him of using fake profiles on matrimonial websites, masquerading as an ISRO scientist named Swapnil Warule to extract money under false marriage promises. This case exposes vulnerabilities in online matchmaking, where trust built through forged documents leads to substantial financial losses.
A Calculated Deception Targets Independent Women
Mhatre operated at least a dozen fake profiles, complete with forged Aadhaar cards and ISRO identity documents. He focused on educated, financially independent women, contacting them through matrimonial sites and sharing fabricated biodata and family details. In one instance at Yerawada police station, a 43-year-old HR executive from a software firm lost Rs 26 lakh between June and September after Mhatre promised marriage on February 14, 2026.
He met her multiple times in Pune, even accompanying her to a bank for a personal loan to buy a Rs 1 crore plot, claiming he would cover Rs 80 lakh. Small transfers to her and her mother reinforced his credibility. Mhatre's scheme unraveled when Nashik police alerted her to tainted funds linked to another victim scammed by a similar ISRO impostor.
Multiple Cases and Police Coordination Across Maharashtra
First detained by Navi Mumbai police in February, Mhatre has faced custody in several jurisdictions. Yerawada police froze Rs 21 lakh from the HR executive's case. Wakad police in Pimpri Chinchwad investigate him for cheating a 30-year-old IT professional of Rs 42 lakh, with probes revealing he gambled proceeds in Goa casinos.
These incidents highlight coordinated efforts among Maharashtra police forces to track serial offenders. Cases registered at various stations underscore the scale, as victims from Nashik and beyond connect through shared fraud patterns.
Rising Risks in Digital Matrimonial Fraud
Matrimonial websites amplify fraud risks by enabling anonymous profiles and rapid trust-building via calls and meetings. Offenders exploit cultural pressures around marriage, promising security while demanding funds for investments or emergencies. Educated professionals, often with savings, become prime targets due to their financial autonomy.
Victims face not only monetary loss but emotional distress from betrayed wedding hopes. Police recoveries show partial restitution is possible, yet full prevention demands platform verification and user caution. As digital matchmaking grows, such scams signal a need for stricter identity checks to protect users seeking genuine partnerships.